1. Materials World Network (MWN) to Study Liquid Precursor Formation and Crystallization at Interfaces: Fundamentals towards Applications Aim: To investigate the fundamental mechanism of a polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) crystallization process. Why?  the PILP process serves as an in vitro model system of biomineralization  can mimic biomineral nanostructures of bones, teeth, and invertebrate shells Results : the thermodynamic driving force and molecular level interactions involved in this non-classical crystallization process are being determined template effects on precursor deposition and transformation are being examined non-specificity of PILP process for application to non-biological materials is being evaluated Keyword: Biomaterials Laurie B. Gower, University of Florida, DMR 0710605 NMR DOSY experiment of pre- nucleation cluster formation Atomic force microscopy of crystal growth via cluster adsorption

2. Materials World Network (MWN) to Study Liquid Precursor Formation and Crystallization at Interfaces: Fundamentals towards Applications Undergraduate Research Intl. Exchange Program Aim: To enhance undergraduate education and promote international collaboration for the future generation of materials scientists. Program: Two US undergrads spend 5 weeks each in the labs of Volkmer and Cölfen learning new techniques in surface and colloid science. the research is continued upon return to UF as part of their senior research design projects. two German students from Ulm or MPI spend 6 weeks doing research in Gower’s lab a part of their Diploma certificate. Keyword: Biomaterials Laura Pendi, from Univ. of Ulm, working with US student Lisa Ferrara Scanning electron microscopy of remineralized bone using PILP process Undergrad research on biomimetic bone Laurie B. Gower, University of Florida, DMR 0710605

3. Materials World Network (MWN) to Study Liquid Precursor Formation and Crystallization at Interfaces: Fundamentals towards Applications Postdoctoral Training Program Aim: To enhance the diversity of the academic workforce by training underrepresented minorities in the field of materials engineering. Program: The postdoc received training at the Max Planck Institute for Colloids & Interfaces with leading experts in the field of biomechanics. Nanoindentation and Environmental SEM experiments were performed on biomimetic bone samples prepared in Gower’s lab in the US. - The postdoc served as mentor to the two undergraduate students visiting the lab from the exchange program of the primary MWN grant. Keyword: Biomaterials Postdoctoral researcher Douglas Rodriguez Laurie B. Gower, University of Florida, DMR 0710605 Environmental scanning electron microscopy of mineralized collagen fibrils